I instinctively slap Marigold's hand.
The flower petals drift and scatter across the floor.
The butlers rush in to clean.
'Ah...'
A sense of relief rush in me, as I'm unable to brush the flowers myself, afraid that even the slightest contact might reveal something that I've been hiding.
"I thank your generosity Lady Marigold."
I suddenly hold my hand, shaking.
'I need to maintain myself.'
I smile gently at Lady Marigold.
"I do apologize for accidentally knocking it over, though your flowers have made the floor look quite beautifully."
"If you can excuse me but it seems like I feel unwell."
I turn around and left.
The event carries on. The nobles didn't spare a single glance to what happened, yet hushed whispers rippled through the crowd, slipping past me as their attention settled elsewhere.
As I'm about to leave in order to calm myself down, I saw older brother, Lu in a distance staring at me while holding a glass of red wine, swirling, as he stand on the side, observing.
'Ah... So he really noticed.'
His words from before repeats in my mind.
—Few days ago, Hallway—
"I must say, you have quite a unique taste."
'Is that a bad thing?'
"I've heard around your age, your taste start to change."
"I do hope it's just your rebellious phase, does not tarnish the name of the Rosethorne."
Duke Lucien looks down on me as his stare pierces right at me.
'The reason why Lu said that to me was because...
—Several days ago, Velora's room—
"Eh? Lady Velora, why're there no flowers inside the ballroom?"
I scratch my head and let out a soft chuckle.
"Ah, well, aren't there already plenty of flowers outside?"
"Besides I wouldn't want to pull them from the soil just to use as mere decorations for my birthday."
Kel confuse and eventually accepted my excuse.
Refusing the flowers feels like I'm pushing against the very order of this world, where flowers are meant to be cherished, treasured above all else.
'I must be the first and last person in this world to have without blooming flowers present on their birthday.'
The fear lingers in my hands, a slightest touch may reveal it.
—After her birthday, Night time, Velora's room—
I happily lay down in bed feeling full.
"Good Night lady Velora."
"Good night!"
Erisa closes the door and leaves, as if each step she takes felt like a pressure within, like a clock ticking, as her steps fades.
Silence and the dark of the night fills the room.
I stand up and slowly approach the flower vase near the mirror.
I face up my courage and slowly touch the flower.
The red rose not only changed is colors.
It transforms.
Red drains into a sharp, poisonous pink, the petals reshaping in silence until what rests in my hand is no longer a rose.
Oleander… a perfect imitation of a rose at a glance, same soft petals, but beneath it, its highly poisonous.
I took the flower and trampled it.
Fear rushes in me as I clutch my chest and collapse to the floor.
'It's finally here... No matter what I do the ability remains the same.'
I can't help but cry as I'm forced to carry on this cursed ability in a life that was never mine to begin with but destined to die sooner or later.
I sit in the corner of the room my head down as I try to hold myself together.
In a life filled with people, this night feels the loneliest for Velora,
'I.'
She has no one to turn to...
'I have no one to turn to.'
—Present—
'My hands are still shaking, I'm not sure if It's my fear or Velora's fear as well.'
'I'm like a human vibrator at this point.'
I let out a long sigh, shoulders dropping slightly.
I sprung back and think.
'What do I do?'
I slightly tilt on the side.
"Hmm."
'Is there even a way to turn this ability off, I notice that even if I don't use this power, It still happens as long as I brush a flower off.'
"Does that mean I can't control it properly." I mumble.
"What is it that you can't control, my lady?"
As annoying as his voice sounds, that familiar tone instantly ruins my day.
'Why's he here.'
I stand up and bow.
"I great the High Priest, Cassien."
'He's not even the guest list, why's he here? Isn't a priest supposed to be busy? He's the High Priest and a Spirit Oracle, and he has time to come here? He wasn't even invited… this is literally a kid's party. When is he leaving? He should be leaving...
"Harboring ill thoughts toward others, my lady, may lead to unfortunate consequences."
"But I didn't think of anything." I smile genuinely as my eyebrow twitch.
"What is the reason for your visit, High Priest, to our humble duchy?"
"I was invited."
I rest my cheek against my hand, tilting my head, my lips curving as I let out a soft—
"Oh my?"
"By whom, might I ask? I do not recall seeing your name upon the guest list, and thus I could not extend the courtesies due to a guest of your standing."
"As High Priest, it is within my duty to guide and observe. My presence requires no invitation, so be at ease."
'Invited, my arse. Isn't this an abuse of power? He's basically trespassing!'
"Then again, my lady, ill thoughts may not end well." Cassien closes his eyes gently, a faint smile forming on his lips.
"How rude of me to keep the High Priest and his attendants waiting under the sun. Would you allow me to guide you through the event?"
'Through the nearest exit.'
"I would love to, my lady. May your life be bless."
Cassien suddenly pats my head, smiling.
—Cassien's thoughts—
'I haven't even stepped inside yet.'
—Velora's thoughts—
'Get in and leave already!'
—Ballroom—
'I'm here again...' My brows knit together.
'I feel like avoiding everyone and talk to Marigold later.'
"Announcing the arrival of The High Priest."
All eyes fall on the priest, as though his presence alone unsettles the flow of the event.
Nobles gets closer to receive a blessing, offering bows a touch deeper than necessary, as if hoping to be noticed.
'Well at least they're not looking at me now.'
As I'm about to look for Marigold to clear up a misunderstanding, suddenly a young noble with brown hair and brown eyes, wearing a tailored vest of deep green and muted brown steps closer.
'This is...'
Young Lord Caelrion steps in, ignoring the nobles trying to catch his attention.
'… Did he just seriously just walk past her like that?'
"Lady Velora, Happy birthday." Young Lord Caelrion bows down.
I bow down afterwards.
"Thank you, your grace."
'Why is he here? You're not invited either!!'
'I'm not interested in him, I should leave and ignore him'
I smile and about to leave, suddenly Young Lord Caelrion holds my hand.
"Wait."
'What in the ML is he doing.'
"Yes?"
"You seemed to be in a hurry, my lady."
'Yeah, I was trying to go away from you.'
"I am in no rush, I'm currently looking for someone."
"Who might that be?"
"Marigold Edelweiss."
"Marigold...?" Young Lord Caelrion whispers.
'Since FL is bestfriends with her wouldn't he know who she is?'
"I'm quite uncertain whom that might be but it seems you're referring to Count Edelweiss family?"
'What? What do you mean he doesn't know?'
Dumbfound by his answer, I question his awareness in what surrounds FL.
'Don't tell me he only sees the FL and everything else is just background.'
—In Velora's mind—
Marigold a dandelion head.
—poof—
Shock by my own conclusion.
"Yes, if you'll excuse me."
'Young Lord Caelrion is too long and noble for him.'
'Should I call him near-sighted? Tunnel-hole? Oblivious? One-eyed?'
As I think of a name Young Lord Caelrion suddenly holds my hand again.
"What's happening here?" Cassien suddenly approach us.
'What is he doing?'
"Young Lord Caelrion."
Young Lord Caelrion suddenly lets go and bows at Cassien.
"I greet the High Priest."
I slowly inch away slowly.
"Lady Velora."
"Hiik!"
"I heard you're looking for someone, who might you be looking for?"
'What help is he going to do?'
"There is no need for you to concern yourself with such matters, High Priest." Young Lord Caelrion interrupts.
Whispers began to form as I look at my surrounding.
'These two are making a scene...'
A sudden whisper cuts through the crowd, clear enough for me to hear.
"Isn't that the heir to the Grand Duke of Viremont?"
'Grandduke? You mean it isn't just a typo but saying grand meaning its much higher than the Duke?'
'I heard about it during my lessons, but I never realized Caelrion... the ML—is actually the Grand Duke… I mean, I knew, I just never connected the two.' as I panic internally.
I suddenly feel my soul leaving my body, both of them!
'…I just called the Grand Duke all sorts of names.'